'It had a nice feel to it'

Our photographer Grant Melton has been at the new The Range store this morning and he has had this to say.

It was very busy, it’s really big and well stocked in there. It actually seems like a really nice place to shop to be honest.

It’s probably one of the nicest stores around when you compare it to the other [The Range stores] nearby. It’s a huge store and it was a nice place.

It was really exciting, the coffee from the cafe was fantastic and it had a nice feel to it.

The Range has opened in the old building previously occupied by Homebase (Image: David Cook)

09:56

How many jobs will it bring?

More than 80 jobs will be created at the Croydon store, according to The Range.

These include full and part-time roles, in a wide variety of positions - from store and department managers, to warehouse assistants and retail administrators.

The news is welcome after the town lost a source of employment when Homebase shut.

It's never too early to buy Christmas items (Image: David Cook)

09:40

'I’m so bloody excited'

A lot of people are excited about the opening

@TheRangeUK You are opening a store in Croydon and I’m the other side of the M25 but you will be my closest store by miles! I will drive the Purley Way (worst road ever) to visit you and I’m so bloody excited! I LOVE The Range so much *happy dance* #TheRangepic.twitter.com/5Xn82eUZJT

When was the store opening announced?

Since that news was reported, it’s fair to say that when that the avid shoppers among you were pretty excited. So much so we received a large number of ecstatic comments from people looking forward to the opening.